Orifice meter fitting



Aug; 13, 1935. H. H. ROBINSON ORIFICE METER FITTING Filed May 18, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W M4 ,My

` H. H. ROBINSON ORIFICE METER FITTING Fned May 1s, 1951 Aug. 13, 1935.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Angl-)13, 1935 Henry H. Robinson, Los Angeles, Calif., assigner to Robinson Orifice Fitting Company, Los Anf geles, Calif., a corporation "of Nevada.

Y appiicationMay .18,"1931, seriai NQ. 538,120 `comme (crisi- 75) This invention relates to adevicezfor use in metering the now of uid through a pipe line or conduit, and relates more particularly to-an orifice meter tting for carrying an orice disc or tings or orifice ttings are interposed in'pipe lines to carry and handle orice plates for arrangement across the conduits or pipe lines. Itis `necessary to quite'frequently change the orice plates to.` compensate for wear, changes in the conditions of nov/ through the conduits, etc. It is accordingly desirable to provide means `for easily and quickly replacing the orifice plates and Yto provide uid-tight s eals about the working parts. l It is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, practical, and improved` orifice meter iitting of the general character described 2 and claimed in Patent Number 1,569,305,- granted to Anson Robinson-January 20,1926. Y f

It is another object of the invention to provide an orice meter fitting thatis particularly adapted for use in pipe lines or conduits handling iiuid at high pressures.

It is another object of the invention to provide.Y

an orifice meter iitting in which the orice disc or plate may be easily and quickly replaced withoutl cutting ofi or stoppingthe flow of` fluid i through the pipe line and without an appreciable loss or leakage of huid.

It is another object of. the invention to provide an orice meterntting, provided with `packing vglands about the movable parts, that may be easily and quickly repacked without removing the pressure from the fitting and withoutthe` danger of leakage when being replaced when the fitting is,

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel and improved means for releasably hold- I ing the orifice plate in position across the uid passage or the tting.

A further object of the invention is to provide a practical and effective means for operatingior' shifting the orice plate through the tting be-j tween the position in the fluid passage ,and the position where it may be released.

A further object oi the invention is to provide,

an orice meter tting of the character mentioned in which the parts of the operating mechanism for shifting the orifice plate are-housed or encased so that they may be eiiectively lubricated and so that they are protected against rusting or.

corrosion.

Other objects and features of my invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed' description of a typical form andV application vof the invention, throughoutwhich description reference will be had to the aC- companying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the ttingprovided by the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation ofthe fitting. Fig.,3 is a vertical detailed sectional viewtakenaszindioated by line 3--3 on Fig. 2, showing theV orifice plate in position across the iiuid passage. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of a portion of the fitting, illustrating one of the `units for releasably clamping the orifice plate, in position. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional View of a portion Yof the mechanism for shifting the orice plate.A Fig. 6 V,is an` enlarged vertical detailed sectionalview of the centralportion of the fitting. Fig. 7 is an enlarged top or plan view of the `i'itting', and Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional viewtaken substantially as indicatedby line `8- 8 on Fig. 5.

The fitting provided by my present invention includes, generally, a bodyl adapted to be arranged or mounted in a pipe line, an oriliceV plate II operable betweeny a position vacross the fluid passage of the body I0 anda position where it may be replaced, means I2 for releasably holding the orice plate in position acrossthe iiuid passage, a plug I3 forsealing between the fluid.`

passage of the body and the replacement chainber of the body, and means I4 for operating or shifting the Voriiice plate II.

The main or lower end portion I5 of the body ill is cylindrical in its general coniguration,l and is provided with a longitudinal uid passage I6 adapted to register with the opening or passage of the pipe` line.- .Suitable flangesV I 'I may be provided at the opposite ends of the body around the opening I6, to connect with iianges or flanged fittings ontl'ie pipe line. In accordance `with the standard practice, the opening I is of round cross section. A laterally or upwardly projecting neck I8 is provided on thel body I intermediate its ends. `The neck I 8 is integral' with the main poi'- tion I5'of thebody, and isprovided with a cham-4 45 f ber I9 for receiving the oriiice plate II when lt is to be replaced. The neck I8 and its chamber I9 are rectangular in crosssectional configuration, and the upper end of the chamber is closed by a cover'plate Zi). A iiange 2l is provided on the upper end of the neck I8, and bolts Y or screws 22 detachably connect the cover plate 2i)` withthe flange. The lowerend of the chamber I9 joins or communicates with the fluid passage I 6, and may be out off from the uidpassage recess 23 may be closed by a removable plate Annuler sealing faces 25 are provided on 26. the opposite walls of the recess 23 around the fluid passage it. rThe sealing faces 25 are parallel and are ground or finished to Vco-operate with sealing faces on the orifice plate ii, as will be hereinafter described. Drain openings 2G are provided through the walls of the body to communicate with the recess 23 and may be normally closed by plugs 2i.

rljhe orifice plate l i is a comparatively thin rectangular member and is provided with a ceney tral opening or orice 2S for passing fluid when the plate is in position across the uid passage i6. The plate li vis proportioned to pass into the upper chamber i9 and fits the recessY ZSwith suitable edge clearance. or ridges 29 are provided on the opposite sides of the plate ii and. are concentrically Curved about the central axis of the opening 28. The annular ridges 29 are provided with sealing faces 3 to co-oper-ate with the sealing faces 25 of the body. The sealing faces 36 are ground or finished to have a sliding sealing fit with the faces 25. Spaced lugs or feet 3l are provided on the lower end of the orifice plate ii to engage the plate 2li to center the plate li vertically in the recess. Socket-headed or slotted screws 32 are threaded through openings in the body wall to project into therecess 23 and center the plate li horizontally. When the orice plate Il is in the position illustrated throughout the drawings,

its opening 23 is centrally positioned in, or co. A axial with, the iluid passage i6. Y

The means i2 for holding or retaining the orice plate ii in operating position in the recess 23 is in the nature of a screw means for clamping the plate i i in sealing engagement with one of the faces 25. The means i2 includes a plurality of like units, each including a nipple or plug 33 screw-threaded into an opening 34 in the body and a screw 35 threaded through the plug 33 to engage the orice plate ii. There may be any suitable number of these plate-holding units provided at spaced points on the body iii at the low pressure side of the recess 23. in the particular instance illustrated in the drawings, Vthere are four spaced holding units for clamping the orifice plateV in position in the recess. The openings B-i are inclined longitudinally and inwardly at suitable angles. In practice, the openings 3d may be at 45 relative to the longitudinal axis of the fluid passage iii and 45 relative to the vertical aXis of the fitting. The inner ends of the openings 3a communicate with the. recess 23 at one of the sealing faces 25.

l The plugs 33 are screw-threaded into enlarged outer end parts of the opening Sii. The plugs 33 aretubular andthe set screws 35 are screwthreaded into or through the plugs. The set screws 35 extend through the openings 3d to engage the orice plate i i. The extreme inner ends of the screws 3f.V may be rounded to effectively engage one of the faces Sii. The screws 35 prol ject outwardly beyond the outer ends of the Annular enlargements plugs 33 andv are provided with attened or polygonal end parts for engagement by a wrench, or the like. It will be apparent how the set screws 35 may be employed to clamp against the orifice plate i i to hold it against movement and in sealing engagement with the annular sealing face 255 at the high pressure end of the fitting.

Packing means are provided for sealing about the set screws or holding screws 35. Packing 36 is provided in the outer ends of the plugs 33 to seal about the screws Glands or followers 31 are provided to compress the packing, and nuts '3d are screw-threaded on the outer ends of the plugs 33 to force the followers 3i into compresu sive engagement with the packing.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the packing 35 may be removed or replaced when the fitting is under pressure without the leakage of iluid around the screws 35. Annular flanges 38a are provided on each screw 35 to slidaoly fit the inner portions of the openings i. A are in the nature of beveled sealing faces, and the innerv ends of the plugs 33 are beveled to be inthe form vof sealing faces. Annuler sealing faces-39A are provided in the inner end portions 'of the openings 3d. When it is desired to replace the packing Sii of one of the units, the screws 35 may be backed out or threaded out so that the annular sealing shoulder 38a cornes into engagement with the inner end of the plug 33. The gland 3l may then be removed and the packing it replaced without the danger of leakage around the screws If it is desired to repack about the screws 35 when the orifice plate ii is in the up or out position for replacement, the screws '35 may, if desired, be threaded inwardly so that the sealing shoulder 38a comes into engagement with the seat 39 to provide a fluid-tight seal around the screw.

The plug i3 is provided to close off or seal off the chamber i9 from the fluid passage it. The plug i3 is arranged ina transverse horizontal opening dil at the inner end of the chamber i9. The end portions of the opening it extend through body parts fil projecting from opposite sides of the body it. The plug-carrying opening t@ intersects the lower portion of the chamber i9 to have opposite wall portions formed in the opposite side walls of the chamber. 'The plug i3 is longitudinally tapered and the opening iii is correspondingly shaped to tightly receive the plug. The plug i3 is comparatively long to have its smallest end within one of the body parts li and to have its largest end projecting outwardly fromY the other body part iii. An elongated transverse slot i2 is provided in the plug iii for passing the orice plate ii. The plug i@ is operable between a position where the slot il?. is closed by the walls of the opening it and a position where the slot is in vertical alignment with the orice plate Il to pass the plate. The extreme end of the pro'- jecting part of the plug is made polygonal to facilitate the operation of turning of the plug.

Means is provided for forcing or urging the plug ifi into the opening lili to provide for an effective seal between the plug and the walls of the opening. A collar i3 is slidably arranged on the outer end of the plug and is adapted to engage against an outwardly facing shoulder fill on the plug. Studs r7.5 extend through openings in the collar i3 and are threaded into openings in the body part iii. Nuts Si are screwthreaded onto the outer ends of the studs l5 to clamp against the collar i3 and maintain the The opposite sides of the ilanges 33a grooves '62. A' lubricant-carrying cylinder 63S plug I3 in eifective pressural engagement-with thef' Wallsof the opening-M. i Theinventionincludes means vfor packing or-i `sealingabout the large end of the-plug I3. Silit-` i the event that it becomes stucklor jammed in the ,15

opening 40. -The means for loosening Vor breaking loose the plug |3-includes a cap 5| mounted on the body part 4| at the small end of the `Opening 405" The cap 5| is provided With an opening 52 mand a jack screw 53 is screw-threaded into the 20 opening 52. The jack `screw 53 may be threaded inwardly to engage against the end of the plug i3 to force the plug outwardly through the opening 40. The screw 53 projects outwardly from the i cap 5| and is provided with a flattened or polygonaliend part for engagement by a wrench', or

the like. When it is desired to employ the'jack screw 53 to break loose the plug I3, the nuts 41 i so;

are preferablyloosened or threaded outwardly l prior to threading of the jack screw against the small 'end of the plug. Y

The cap 5| and jack screw 53 completely close off .the smaller end of the opening," and the invention provides packing means for sealing about the screw 53 in the opening 52 of the cap. '"Packing 54 is provided in the opening 52 to s eal about an unthreaded` portion of 'the screw. A gland 55is provided to compress the packing 54.` Screw-threaded studs 56 project outwardly from the body Dart 4| and' nuts 51 are threaded on thestuds to retain the cap 5| in position.` A

compression member 51e encases the outer end portion of the head 5| and is in engagement with the outer` end of the gland 55. Certain of theV studs 5G extend outwardly through openings inV T2 themember 51a and nuts 58 are provided on the studs to urge the member 51EL inwardly seas to compress the packing 54.- f I VIn accordance with thepreferred form of the invention, means is provided whereby the packing 5'4` maybe replaced When the fitting is 'under pressure. without danger of leakage around the screw 53. A beveledA or tapered sealing -face 59 is provided on the screw 53 at the outer end of its thread. A beveled sealing face 60 is provided 5- inthe opening 52 at the outer end of thelthread in the opening. When it is desired'to` replace the packing 54 when the fitting is passing fluid under pressure, the jack screw 53 may be 'thread-Y ed .'oribacked outwardly so that its sealingface 59 comes into engagement with theY face 6|]y .t'og provide a fluid-tight. seal aroundnthe screw.' `Themember 51a and the gland 55.may` then be rei moved-to permit the replacement of the packing Edirwithout danger of leakage from the small end of the opening 40. In practice, the jack screw53 may normally be in the position where its face 5!` seals with the face 6U to provide La sealing means in addition to .the` packing 5 4. i

In accordancewiththe preferred embodimen of the invention, means is provided for lubricat- `ingthe plug |3 and for providing a hydraulic seal for `the plug. Annular lubricantor grease grooves 5| are providedaround the` plug within the endportions of the opening 40. The annulargrooves 6| arejoined or connected by spaced longitudinal` is connected with theopening 40-by a suitable ttingor elbow 'B4 threaded into an opening65 in the body. The opening 65 communicates withI the opening 40 at a point in alignment-with an annular -grease groove 6|'. A plugori-plunger 66 is screw-threaded into the outer lend of the cylf inder 63 and may be employed to force lubricant into the opening 40 and the lubricant grooves of the plug.` It willA be apparent how lubricant may be supplied to the grooves 601 and v6| under high pressures so Vas to effectively lubricate theplug and-'to provide a liqudseal about the opposite endsofthe plug. l

`The` means I4 for shifting oroperating the orice plate between-the position in the recess 23 andtheY position in the chamber I9 includes anelongatedrvertical rod 61 extending into the chamberV I9. The lower end ofthe rod- 61 is adaptedto be Screw-threaded into 4an` opening 68 inthe upperY end or'edge of the orice plate. The Hrod 81 extends upwardly or outwardly through an opening aridpacking gland69 in the cover plate 20. A4 suitable operatingknob 80 may be provided on-the upper end of the rod 61. When the orifice disc is in the operating positionin the recess 23, theY rod 61 maybe left in connection with the plate |I, in which case" it extends upwardly through the slot 42 of the plugA If it is desired to `close off the chamber- |8` |3. fromf-the fluid passage when the 4orifice disc is in its normal position, the rod B1-may be threaded out of the opening 68 and raised to a position` whereit is above the plug 3 so that the plug may be turned to .the closed "position-.A

`Where thel fitting is employed to handle or passl fluid under high pressure, considerable force is required to move or operate the rod 51 to shift: the orifice plate. The present invention provides an improved mechanism for operating the rod 61 to shift the orifice plate through the body |0`.

[The operatingvmechanism includes avertically disposed elevator shaft or rack shaft 10. The elei vator shaft 10 is slidably carried in' a tubular" housing 1|.V The lower end of the housing 1| may be supported on the 'main portion I5 of the Y body, while the upper end of the housing may extend intoan opening 12 in the ange 2|. The

elevator shaft 1D 'extends outwardlyV through the opening 12 to'projectabove the cover plate 2 0. A`releasable operative connection is provided between the upper endiof the elevator-shaft and the operating rod 61. A laterally projecting arm 13` is provided on the upper `end of the shaft 410. The arm 13 is rotatable on the shaft 10, and its outer end is split or bifurcated. The knob 80 of the rod 61 is provided with vertically opposed shoulders 14. The split ends of the arm 13 are adapted to extend between the shoulders `14, and

a removable pin 15 may extend between the split` portions of the arm to retain the arm in co-operative engagement with the knob 83.

AThe elevator shaft 10 is provided with a flat` tened side and a plurality of vertically or longi-` tudinally opposed teeth 164 are providedV onthe flattened side of the shaft. longitudinally curved or arcuate,` as illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawingsf A rotatable disc or pinion 11` is providedto operate the shaft 10. The pinion 11 may be carried by a suitable brack et' 18 mounted on the flange 2|. The pinion11- includes an outwardly projecting stemV 19V rotat-` able in an .opening 3| inthe bracket. A circular; or disc-shaped head82 is provided on'the innere endofthe'stem 19:' Gear parts `83 are provided The teeth V1li are Y f concentric to the axis of rotation of the pinion lof f foregoing detailed description. j operation, the orifice plate II is disposed in the `frompthe chamber I9.

on the innerV sideof the headrto mesh orcooperate with the teeth 16. The gear parts 83 project fromY the inner face of the head 82 and are spirally'curved. The gear parts Y83 are curved outwardly and circumferentially from a circle to the periphery of the head 82. The curved parts 83 are shaped and spaced to effectively co-operate with the spaced rack teeth '16. pinion 'I'I is carried by the bracket 'I8 to rotate about an'axis inclined relative tothe horizontal so that its gear parts 83 co-operate with the rack teeth 'IE at only one side of thevcenter of rotation of the pinion. The stem 'I9 projects outwardly from the bracket i8 and is provided with a polygonal outer end adapted to be engaged by a suitable operating crank or tool. Upon the pinion II being rotated, the elevator shaft 'Ill is operated longitudinally or vertically. As the shaft 'I Y, moves longitudinally without turning or rotating,

there is no torque or turning force transmitted to the rodfi. It is to be noted that the stem I9 projects substantially horizontally outward so that it is'particularly easy to engage and operate.

n Openings GI are provided in the walls of the body IB to `communicate with the fluid passage I6'at opposite sides of the recess 23. The openings SI are provided toreceive the ends of pipes or conduits connected with a suitable pressureindicating or recording instrument.

Y It is believed that the utility and practicability of the orifice meter fitting provided by the present invention will be readily apparent from the During normal recess 23, where it extends across the fiuid passage I'. The opening 2S of the orifice plate is comparatively small relative to the fluid passage IVG so that ardiiference of pressure is obtained at the opposite sides of the plate. The orifice plate is effectively retained in position by the several set screws 35 which hold it in sealing engagement with the sealing face 25 at the high pressure side of the plate. The rod 6l may remain connected with the orice plate I I. However, it may be desirable to disconnect the rod from the plate so that the plug Yit, may be closed to cut olf the chamber I9 .from the fluid passage I 6. The arm 'I3 may be normally disconnected from the rod knobY 'M so that the rack shaft 'I0 may be main- 'tained in a down position where its major portion is lwithin the housing 'il where it is protected against the elements. When it is desired to inspect or replace the orifice disc II, the plug I3 is turned or operated t-o the open position where its slot 42 is in alignment with the plate I I. The rodV G'lr'may then be threaded into the opening G8 and the arm 73 connected with the knob 8E! of the rod. The set screws 35 may then be backed away from the plate II so that the plate is free to be operated upwardly. The plate may then be shifted upwardly into the chamberV I9 by rotating the pinion il. Rotation of the pinion 'I'I causes longitudinal movement of the shaft 'I0 and corresponding movement of the rod and plate I I. When the plate II has been shifted into the chamber I9, the plug I3 may be turned to the closed position to cut off the chamber from the fluid passage IS. The release valve or st-op cock 9B may then beY opened to relieve the pressure After the pressure has been removed from the chamber I9, the arm i3 Vmay be disconnected from the rod'and swung to TheY the fitting. It will be apparent how the orifice plate I I or a new orice plate'may again be positioned across the fluid passage II, and how the plate I2 may be replaced to close the upper end ofthe chamber I9. y

The set screws 35 are operable to tightly clamp or hold the orifice plate againstrthe sealing face 25 at the high pressure end of the opening I6 and to retain the orifice plate in its proper position. The guide screws 32 and the fitting 3| operate to properly center the orifice plate II in the recess 23. After the orifice plate has been arranged in the desired position, the rod 31 may be left in connection withv the plate or may be removed from the orice plate so that the lower end of the chamber I9 may be closed. To release the rod 65 from the orifice plate, the pin 'I5 is withdrawn from the arm I3 and the arm swung to a position so that the rod Gl may be shifted upwardly. After the rod 'I has been raised or drawn upwardly, the plug I3 may be operated to thev closed position to close olf the chamber I9 from the uid passage. Under normal conditions, the shaft 7S may be operated downwardly within the tubular housing I so that it is protected against the elements.

It is to be noted that the present invention provides the improved means IZ for holding the orifice plate in tight sealing engagement with the fitting 25 and provides an improved packing means in connection with the means I2 that may be readily repacked when the fitting is under pressure. The packing 36 may be easily and quickly replaced without any danger of leakage after the screw 35 has been backed outward to seal with the inner end of the plug 33. The opposite ends of the closing plug I3 are effectively sealed about by packing means that may be easily repacked when under pressure. The lubricating means for the plug lubricates the plug so that it is not apt to freeze or jam in the opening 4G and also provides a liquid seal around the end parts of the plug to prevent leakage. The operating means I4 is such that the orifice plate IE may be easily and quickly operated or shifted through the body whenY there is high pressure in the body. The operating means lil is simple in construction and is such that it may be operated from the side or end of the tting. Further, the means I4 is such that the rod 67 is not subjected to any torque, turning,` or bending strains when it is operated. The rack shaft l@ moves longitudinally and parallel with the rod 6? without rotation. -As the shaft iii and pinion 'I'I are mounted at the exterior of the tting, theyare easily accessible at all times and are not subjected to the actionv of the fluid being handled. The jack screw 553 is adapted to serve two purposes, vthat is it is adapted to break loose the plug i3 from theA opening le and is operable to provide an auxiliary seal at the small end of the plug during the replacement ofthe packing 555.

Having described onlya typical preferred form of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to the specic details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes and variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. In an orificemeter fitting, a body having a passage and a longitudinally tapered opening intersecting the passage, a longitudinally tapered plug in the said opening in the body and operable to close oif the passage, a cap closing the small `end of Vthe opening, a jack screw carried by the cap for engaging the plug, and means for packing about the jack screw. n

2. In an orifice meter tting, a body having a passage and a longitudinally tapered opening intersecting the passage, a longitudinally tapered plug in the said opening in the body and oper- Y able to close off the passage, a cap closing the small end of the opening, a jack screw threaded through the cap and operable to" clamp against the plug, packing for sealing aboutY the screw, and means for sealing between the screw and cap when the packing is to be replaced.

3. In an orifice meter fitting, a bodyhaving a passage and a longitudinally tapered opening intersecting the passage, a longitudinally tapered plug in the said opening in the body and operable to close oilc the passage, a cap closing the small end of the opening, a jack screw threaded through .the cap and operable to clamp against the plug, packing for sealing about the screw,A

and means for sealing between the screw and cap When the packing is to be replaced, said means including a sealing face on the cap, and a part on the screw adapted toseal with said face.

4. In an criiice meter tting, a body having a passage and a longitudinally tapered openingintersecting the passage, alongitudinally tapered plug in the said opening in the body and operable to close off the passage, a cap closing the small end of the opening, a jack screw extending through an opening in the cap and operable to engage the end of the plug, a packing gland at the opening for packing about the screw, and auxiliary sealing means for sealing about the screw when the gland is to be replaced.

5. In an oriiice meter fitting, a body having a passage and a longitudinally tapered opening Y intersecting the passage, a` longitudinally tapered plug in the said opening in the body and operable to close off the passage, and means for urging the plug into the opening including a collar for engaging a part at the large end of the plug, and screw means for operating the collar.

6. In an orice meter fitting, a body having a passage and a longitudinally tapered opening intersecting the passage, a longitudinally tapered plug fin the said opening in the body and operable to close off theV passage, a collar for engaging a part at the large end of the plug, screw means for. actuating the collar, a packing gland for packing'about the large end of the plug, and means carried by the collar for compressing the gland. Y I Y 7. An orifice meter tting including,` a body `having a uid passage, and achamber in Vcommunication with the passage, an orifice plate,`

and means external to the body and readily accessible for operating theplate betweena position across the fluid passage and a position in the chamber including a rod connected with the plate and projecting from the body, .a longitudinally shiftable rack shaft substantially parallel withv the rod, a tubular housing for the shaft, a pinion for operating the shaft, and a releasable operative connection between the shaft and rod.

HENRY H. ROBINSON. 

